Hi- I have a couple of hens that seem to have shell gland issues; thin shells and/or calcium deposits on (and occasionally IN) the egg. Some of these have foam or bubbles inside the white! Does anybody have any insight as to why this happens? I figure nothing can be done, I provide free choice oyster shell and am now trying a 21% protein feed instead of the 16% I've always fed. The yolks appear to be fine.
Then I have a barnevelder that lays eggs with shells so thin they break immediately and make a mess of the nest and eggs and the feathers of any hen that uses the nest. Again, free choice oyster shell and I've upped the protein and tried adding aragonite and a vitamin supplement as well, to no avail.
I only have 5 hens so this puts a real dent in our supply! I've been keeping chickens for 25 years and never had a single hen with egg issues; now this!!!
Then I have a barnevelder that lays eggs with shells so thin they break immediately and make a mess of the nest and eggs and the feathers of any hen that uses the nest. Again, free choice oyster shell and I've upped the protein and tried adding aragonite and a vitamin supplement as well, to no avail.
I only have 5 hens so this puts a real dent in our supply! I've been keeping chickens for 25 years and never had a single hen with egg issues; now this!!!
